THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-100 YEARS

linksandteeslogoDSC01756 Links and Tee's Dome lower level DSPrint LINKS & TEE’S THE GOLF DOME IS OPEN FOR THE WINTER GOLF SEASON THAT’S AHEAD. PURCHASE YOUR DISCOUNTED PASSES, INQUIRE AT THE COUNTER. OPEN HOUSE IS SATURDAY JAN. 31ST, 2015. VISIT LINKS & TEE’S ON LAKE STREET IN ADDISON. SEE ADDISONPARKS.ORG OR (630)-233-7275.

gog-blog-logo2

DSC03521 Cassy and Rory DS

BY: RORY SPEARS SR. WRITER & ASSISTANT EDITOR, With Cassy Tully, Kohler area artist at the CDGA Centennial Celebration, at Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) held it’s Centennial dinner last Friday night, and I was glad to be a part of it. It was a special night for the CDGA and for many people in the golf industry.

A tip of the cap or golf visor to the CDGA on pulling off such a great evening. The guest speakers who included USGA President Tom O’Toole, and USGA Executive Director Mike Davis helped make it a great evening. Both spoke about golf in Chicago and on a bigger scale.

Dan Roan from WGN-TV Channel 9 was the Emcee of the evening’s program, that saw CDGA Executive Director Robert Markioni begin the night of testimonials.

A special thanks from myself to the talented Kohler area (Plymouth WI.) artist Cassy Tully for joining me. Tully who created the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open at Blackwolf Run artwork, is adding to her collection of golf art work with the 2015 PGA Championship coming to Whistling Straits. The latest addition just in time for the holidays is her painting of the clubhouse at the Straits. More on that coming up this week.

I’ll have more this week from the interviews with O’Toole and Davis who took a wide variety of questions from both myself and Big 3 partner Tim Cronin. The USGA is very excited about bringing the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship to Olympia Fields this next August. By that time, USGA Championships will be on Fox Sports with Joe Buck and Greg Norman calling the action. No word yet if a Foxbot will be carrying a golf bag over it’s shoulder and doing it’s version of Grip it and Rip it.

The other member of the Big 3 Len Ziehm has hit the road, and is advancing towards Florida and other southeastern states. Ziehm is scouting out travel destinations for you, whether it’s this winter, spring or even next summer. Visit Lenziehmongolf.com, the latest scouting report is on Hilton Head South Carolina, where Ziehm says there is plenty going on.

I caught up with Dave Esler the architect on the Mt. Prospect Golf Course project at a board meeting in Mt. Prospect last week. The good news is that the course is “done”, but since the final holes were not seeded until early last week, they won’t grow in all too early next spring. Esler says the course will open when ready, and it won’t be ready in May. Mid to late June looks like the best time frame now, if this winter isn’t too bad. Maybe this bad November, means an early spring in 2015. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

THE WEATHER is supposed to be Mid-40’s by Sunday, maybe about the same next Monday. If you’re thinking about a Turkey week round next week, maybe it will happen. Cog Hill for one has a Black Friday outing the day after Thanksgiving.

There will be an open house at the White Pines Golf Dome this coming Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, Kempersports management, the new owners invite you to come say hello.

THE NEW LINE OF TITLEIST products I have reported on, are now available in your local pro shop.

MORE GOLF NEWS all week long. Keep it here. RS

This entry was posted in News by Rory Spears. Bookmark the permalink.

About Rory Spears

Rory spent over 8 years growing up working at Rob Roy Golf Club in Prospect Hts.IL, then two years at Chevy Chase in Wheeling. He has covered golf in Chicago since 1986. Rory was one of the initial members of WSCR all-sports radio Chicago and covered golf there for 5 seasons, before moving on to work for ESPN/Sportsticker and ESPN Radio. In addition to hosting Golfers on Golf Radio on WCPT AM820 Chicago, he writes for both the Chicago District (CDGA) Magazine, and formerly Chicagoland Golf. Rory has played over 525 courses in 39 states, and rates golf courses. He does golf course management and communications consulting, within the golf industry.